- High demand for tickets caused prices to rise
- Flight cancelled due to technical problem
- Football fans are now hoping they can reach their final match
Desperate supporters of Port Adelaide’s football team are rushing to Sydney for the AFL preliminary round on Friday after their Qantas flight was cancelled.
The airline has confirmed that QF734 from Adelaide to Sydney was grounded due to a technical issue. It is scheduled to depart at 10:00 Adelaide time.
It was a disastrous outcome for Port Adelaide supporters, who had had to pay huge sums for tickets due to the huge demand.
Thousands of football fans travel from Adelaide to Sydney as the SCG sells out.
Not only do football fans flock across the country, but the finals also coincide with school holidays across Australia.
“Disaster at Adelaide Airport this morning as punters who paid over $900 to get to the preliminary round finals saw their flights cancelled,” ABC Sport presenter Aaron Bryans reported on Friday.
“Shocking how much they had to pay for it,” one follower commented.
“9 hours by road is doable,” suggested another.
Football fans trying to travel from Adelaide to Sydney were faced with a cancelled flight this morning
Thousands of Port Adelaide supporters have travelled from Adelaide to Sydney this week (pictured) after paying top dollar due to skyrocketing demand
Qantas is now doing everything it can to get all stranded passengers to Sydney.
Stranded fans have been given food vouchers and the airline is working to reroute passengers to Sydney via alternative airports.
“All passengers have been transferred to the first available flights to Sydney, with some passengers travelling via Canberra and Melbourne to Sydney,” the airline confirmed.
‘Most affected customers are expected to arrive in Sydney before 3.30pm, with remaining customers expected to arrive no later than 6.45pm.
Kick-off is at 7:40 PM at the SCG.
A Qantas flight was scheduled to depart Adelaide for Sydney at 11:00. Meanwhile, a Virgin flight was scheduled to depart at 11:25, followed by a Jetstar flight at 12:00, all heading to Sydney.
Qantas said a technical issue was responsible for the cancellation and that new flights were being arranged for passengers (stock image)
The setback will have left some Power fans panicking about how they will get to the SCG in time for the match (pictured supporters with Port star Charlie Dixon)
“We understand that this disruption is frustrating and apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
‘Our teams have been working hard to get football fans on their way as quickly as possible and all affected customers are expected to arrive in Sydney in time for the match.’
Port Adelaide’s players and coaching staff, along with a large number of supporters, arrived safely in Sydney on Thursday.
Other desperate fans travel to Sydney by bus, passing through Melbourne and surrounding areas to the New South Wales capital.
Port Adelaide secured a place in the preliminary rounds after a thrilling three-point win over the rising Hawthorn Hawks last week.
Sydney are the reigning minor premiers and enjoyed a week off after beating city rivals GWS in the first week of the finals.
The winner will advance to the AFL Grand Final, where they will face the winner of the Geelong-Brisbane match.
